Method and apparatus for use within a wireless OFDM network that transmits and receives first and second packets each having header bits and utilizing variable header repetition. The header bits in the first packet are communicated on multiple OFDM symbols and repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers in a first frequency band. The header bits in a second packet are communicated on fewer OFDM symbols and in a second frequency band that overlaps with and is wider than the first frequency band.
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1. A wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) transceiver comprising: a modulator operable to modulate a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first plurality of header bits in a first packet, wherein at least one header bit of the first plurality of header bits in the first packet is repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers; a wireless OFDM communications transmitter, connected to and in communication with the modulator, operable to transmit in a first narrower frequency band, the first packet comprising the first number of OFDM symbols; the modulator further operable to modulate a second number of OFDM symbols to transmit a second plurality of header bits in a second packet, wherein the second number of OFDM symbols is less than the first number of OFDM symbols and wherein the second plurality of header bits is different than the first plurality of header bits; and the wireless OFDM communications transmitter further operable to transmit in a second wider frequency band, the second packet comprising the second number of OFDM symbols, wherein the first narrower and second wider frequency bands have one or more overlapping frequency regions.
A wireless OFDM transceiver transmits data using two different packet types. The first packet type uses a narrower frequency band and transmits its header information using a larger number of OFDM symbols. Importantly, at least one bit in the header is repeated across multiple OFDM subcarriers to improve reception. The second packet type uses a wider frequency band, transmits its header using fewer OFDM symbols, and the header bits are different from the first packet's header. The narrower and wider frequency bands overlap to some degree. The transceiver includes a modulator to create the OFDM symbols and a transmitter to send the packets.
2. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit increases reliability of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to increase the reliability of the first packet. This repetition helps ensure the header is received correctly, especially in noisy environments.
3. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly communicating header information of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to provide diversity. This means that if one instance of a repeated header bit is corrupted, other instances are likely to be received correctly, increasing the overall likelihood of successful header decoding.
4. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the second wider frequency band is two times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band used for the second packet type is twice the width of the first, narrower frequency band used for the first packet type.
5. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the second wider frequency band is four times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band used for the second packet type is four times the width of the first, narrower frequency band used for the first packet type.
6. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the second wider frequency band is eight times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band used for the second packet type is eight times the width of the first, narrower frequency band used for the first packet type.
7. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains different header bits than a second OFDM symbol in the first packet.
The wireless transceiver described previously transmits the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) such that different OFDM symbols within the packet contain different header bits. This implies the header is spread across multiple symbols.
8. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits and a second OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving the reliability of header transmission in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The problem addressed is ensuring robust delivery of header information, which is critical for packet decoding but vulnerable to errors in wireless channels. The solution involves transmitting the same header bits redundantly across multiple OFDM symbols within a single packet. Specifically, a first OFDM symbol in a packet carries a set of header bits, and a second OFDM symbol in the same packet carries the same set of header bits. This redundancy enhances error resilience by allowing the receiver to reconstruct the header even if one OFDM symbol is corrupted. The technique is particularly useful in environments with high interference or multipath fading, where single-symbol errors could otherwise lead to packet loss. The invention may be implemented in wireless transceivers, including those used in Wi-Fi, cellular networks, or other OFDM-based communication systems. The redundant header transmission does not require additional bandwidth beyond the packet's existing structure, as the header bits are repeated within the packet's allocated OFDM symbols. This approach improves reliability without increasing overall transmission overhead.
9. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports SmartGrid applications.
The wireless transceiver described previously, which transmits two packet types with different frequency bands and header symbol counts, is designed to support SmartGrid applications.
10. The wireless transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports one or more wireless standards.
The wireless transceiver described previously, which transmits two packet types with different frequency bands and header symbol counts, is designed to support one or more wireless communication standards.
11. A wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) transceiver comprising: a modulator operable to modulate a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first header portion of a first packet, wherein at least one header bit of the first header portion in the first packet is repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers; a wireless OFDM communications transmitter, connected to the modulator, operable to transmit the first packet in a first narrower frequency band, wherein the first packet comprises the first header portion transmitted on the first number of OFDM symbols; the modulator further operable to modulate a second number of OFDM symbols to transmit a second header portion of a second packet; and the wireless OFDM communications transmit further operable to transmit the second packet in a second wider frequency band, wherein the second number of OFDM symbols is less than the first number of OFDM symbols and wherein the second header portion is different than the first header portion, wherein the first narrower and second wider frequency bands have one or more overlapping frequency regions.
A wireless OFDM transceiver transmits data using two different packet types. The first packet type uses a narrower frequency band and transmits a first header portion using a larger number of OFDM symbols. At least one bit in the first header portion is repeated across multiple OFDM subcarriers. The second packet type uses a wider frequency band, transmits a second, different header portion using fewer OFDM symbols. The narrower and wider frequency bands overlap. The transceiver includes a modulator and a transmitter.
12. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit increases reliability of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type to increase the reliability of the first packet. This repetition helps ensure the header is received correctly, especially in noisy environments.
13. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly communicating header information of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type to provide diversity. If one instance of a repeated header bit is corrupted, other instances are likely to be received correctly, increasing the overall likelihood of successful header decoding.
14. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the second wider frequency band is two times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band is twice the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
15. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the second wider frequency band is four times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band is four times the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
16. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the second wider frequency band is eight times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) transmits two packet types with different frequency bands. The second, wider frequency band is eight times the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
17. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains different header bits than a second OFDM symbol in the first packet.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) transmits the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) such that different OFDM symbols contain different header bits. This implies the header is spread across multiple symbols.
18. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits and a second OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) transmits the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) such that each OFDM symbol contains the entire first header portion. The first header portion is duplicated across multiple OFDM symbols in the first packet.
19. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports SmartGrid applications.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) is designed to support SmartGrid applications.
20. The wireless transceiver of claim 11 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports one or more wireless standards.
The wireless transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, and header portions) is designed to support one or more wireless communication standards.
21. A method of operating a wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) transceiver comprising: modulating, by a modulator, a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first plurality of header bits in a first packet, wherein at least one header bit of the first plurality of header bits in the first packet is repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers; transmitting, in a first narrower frequency band, by a transmitter using wireless OFDM communications, the transmitter connected to and in communication with the modulator, the first packet comprising the first number of OFDM symbols; modulating, by the modulator, a second number of OFDM symbols to transmit a second plurality of header bits in a second packet, wherein the second number of OFDM symbols is less than the first number of OFDM symbols and wherein the second plurality of header bits is different than the first plurality of header bits; and transmitting, in a second band wider frequency band, by the transmitter using wireless OFDM communications, the second packet comprising the second number of OFDM symbols, wherein the first narrower and second wider frequency bands have one or more overlapping frequency regions.
A method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver involves modulating a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first header in a first packet, repeating at least one header bit across multiple OFDM subcarriers. This first packet is transmitted in a narrower frequency band. The method then modulates a second number of OFDM symbols (fewer than the first) to transmit a second, different header in a second packet, and transmits this second packet in a wider frequency band. The narrower and wider frequency bands overlap.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein a first OFDM symbol of the first packet contains different header bits than a second OFDM symbol of the first packet.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) transmits the first packet such that different OFDM symbols contain different header bits. This implies the header is spread across multiple symbols.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein a first OFDM symbol of the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits and a second OFDM symbol of the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) transmits the first packet such that each OFDM symbol contains the entire header. The header is duplicated across multiple OFDM symbols in the first packet.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports SmartGrid applications.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) is designed to support SmartGrid applications.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports one or more wireless standards.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) is designed to support one or more wireless communication standards.
26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second wider frequency band is two times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts), the second, wider frequency band is twice the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
27. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second wider frequency band is four times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts), the second, wider frequency band is four times the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second wider frequency band is eight times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts), the second, wider frequency band is eight times the width of the first, narrower frequency band.
29. The method of claim 21 , the at least one repeated header bit increases reliability of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to increase the reliability of the first packet.
30. The method of claim 21 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly communicating header information of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The method for operating a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to provide diversity, increasing the likelihood of successful header decoding.
31. A method in a wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) transceiver comprising: modulating, by a modulator, a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first header portion of a first packet, wherein at least one header bit of the first header portion in the first packet is repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers; transmitting, by a wireless OFDM communications transmitter, connected to the modulator, the first packet in a first narrower frequency band, wherein the first packet comprises the first header portion transmitted on the first number of OFDM symbols; modulating, by the modulator, a second number of OFDM symbols to transmit a second header portion of a second packet; and transmitting, by the wireless OFDM communications transmit, the second packet in a second wider frequency band, wherein the second number of OFDM symbols is less than the first number of OFDM symbols and wherein the second header portion is different than the first header portion, wherein the first narrower and second wider frequency bands have one or more overlapping frequency regions.
A method in a wireless OFDM transceiver includes modulating a first number of OFDM symbols to transmit a first header portion of a first packet, repeating at least one header bit across multiple subcarriers. The first packet, containing the first header portion, is transmitted in a narrower frequency band. The method also includes modulating a second number of OFDM symbols (less than the first) to transmit a second, different header portion of a second packet, which is then transmitted in a wider frequency band. The frequency bands overlap.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit increases reliability of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to increase reliability.
33. The method of claim 31 , wherein the at least one repeated header bit provides additional diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly communicating header information of the first packet in the first narrower frequency band.
The method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions) uses header bit repetition in the first packet type (narrower frequency band, more OFDM symbols) to provide diversity, increasing likelihood of successful header decoding.
34. The method of claim 31 , wherein the second wider frequency band is two times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions), the second wider frequency band is two times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
35. The method of claim 31 , wherein the second wider frequency band is four times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions), the second wider frequency band is four times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
36. The method of claim 31 , wherein the second wider frequency band is eight times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
In the method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions), the second wider frequency band is eight times wider than the first narrower frequency band.
37. The method of claim 31 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains different header bits than a second OFDM symbol in the first packet.
In the method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions), different OFDM symbols contain different header bits in the first packet. This implies the header is spread across multiple symbols.
38. The wireless method of claim 31 , wherein a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits and a second OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first plurality of header bits.
In the method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions), a first OFDM symbol in the first packet contains the first header portion and a second OFDM symbol also contains the first header portion.
39. The method of claim 31 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports SmartGrid applications.
The method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions) supports SmartGrid applications.
40. The method of claim 31 , wherein the wireless transceiver supports one or more wireless standards.
The method in a wireless OFDM transceiver described previously (two packet types, different frequency bands, header symbol counts, header portions) supports one or more wireless standards.
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November 14, 2016
April 4, 2017
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